Mesa County commissioners approve 2018 budget

Mesa County commissioners have approved a budget they say maintans core services while also earmarking additional funding for public safety and infrastructure.

The overall budget for 2018 totals nearly $166 million, a 6.1 percent increase over the adopted budget for 2017. The general fund budget comes to almost $57 million, a 1.3 percent decrease over the 2017 budget.

“Our board, along with elected officials and department heads, worked year-round to prioritize public safety needs,” said Mesa County Comissioner Scott McInnis. “Mesa County voters approved the public safety sales tax increase, which gave us relief in not asking departments for further reductions in people and programs to reallocate those funds to public safety. It is a critical step in helping the county on its continued path out of the recession.”

The 2018 budget invests $35.8 million in capital projects, including $23.2 million in road and bridge infrastructure and system improvements, $3.4 million in facilities and $900,000 in regional transportation.

“I believe we have adopted a strong budget that honors the board’s obligation to fiscal responsibility while delivering services expected by the public,” McInnis added. “I thank our Mesa County team for their unwavering commitment and diligence. All departments have subsidized public safety needs and carried the burden on their shoulders to help keep public safety afloat, which is almost 50 percent of the county’s general fund.”

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